An individual based model of rippling movement in a myxobacteria population

Authored by ARA Anderson, BN Vasiev

Date Published: 2005

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2004.11.028

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Migrating cells of Myxococeus xanthus (MX) in the early stages of starvation-induced development exhibit elaborate patterns of propagating waves. These so-called rippling patterns are formed by two sets of waves travelling in opposite directions. It has been experimentally shown that formation of these waves is mediated by cell-cell contact signalling (C-signalling). Here, we develop an individual-based model to study the formation of rippling patterns in MX populations. Following the work of Igoshin et al. (Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. 98 (2001) 14913) we consider each moving cell to have an internal clock which controls its turning behaviour and sensitivity to C-signal. Specifically, we examine the effects of changing: C-signal strength, sensitivity/refractoriness, cell density, and noise upon the formation and structure of the rippling patterns. We also consider three modified models that have no explicit refractory period and examine their ability to produce rippling patterns. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

Pattern-formation Traveling waves Myxococcus